What Can Cause a Baby to Break Out in a Rash With Fever

Peel rashes in children

Childhood rashes are common. Near rashes are harmless and disappear without the need for handling. See your GP or telephone call GP out of hours service if your child has a rash and seems unwell, or if you're worried.

About pare rashes in children

It's especially important to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis, see section below.

Also beneath is data on some of the most common rashes in children.

This guide may requite y'all a ameliorate idea of the cause of the rash. But don't rely on it to diagnose your babe's condition if they show any signs of being unwell. Always meet a GP or contact a GP out of hours service for a proper diagnosis.

read about causes of skin rashes in babies

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of skin and underlying tissue.

Picture showing orbital cellulitis

Nearly cellulitis

the afflicted area will be ruby, painful, swollen and hot
it often affects the legs, but tin occur anywhere on the body
your child will probably besides have a fever

Contact your GP or GP out of hours service if an area of your child's peel turns red, hot and tender. Do this immediately if your child appears unwell. Cellulitis usually responds well to handling with antibiotics.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a viral illness that most children catch at some point. It most ordinarily affects children nether x years of age.

Chickenpox spots normally appear in clusters

Near chickenpox

it causes a rash of itchy spots that turns into fluid-filled blisters
they crust over to class scabs, which after a while drop off
some children only have a few spots, others have them over their entire body
the spots are most likely to appear on the face, ears and scalp, under the arms, on the breast and belly, and on the arms and legs

There'south no specific treatment for chickenpox. Yous can take steps to relieve the symptoms. For example, paracetamol can assistance relieve fever (don't give aspirin to children under 16). Calamine lotion and cooling gels tin be used to ease itching.

Eczema

Eczema is a long-term condition that causes the peel to become itchy, red, dry and cracked. The most common type is atopic eczema, which mainly affects children merely can proceed into adulthood.

Picture of atopic eczema on back of the knees

Well-nigh atopic eczema

commonly develops behind the knees or on the elbows, cervix, eyes and ears
information technology isn't a serious condition, but if your child later on becomes infected with the canker simplex virus, it can crusade the eczema to flare up into an outbreak of tiny blisters and will cause a fever

Erythema multiforme

Erythema multiforme is a skin rash (usually mild). It is caused by an allergic reaction to the canker simplex virus.

About Erythema multiforme

the spots look similar targets, with a dark red middle and paler ring effectually the outside
the hands or feet tend to exist affected beginning, followed by the limbs, upper torso and face up
your kid will probably feel unwell and may have a fever, which y'all should exist able to treat with over-the-counter medicine
it may take from two to six weeks before they experience amend

Come across your GP if your child has a rash and seems unwell.

In rare cases, erythema multiforme tin be triggered by a reaction to certain medications, such as an antibody or anticonvulsant.

This more severe course is called Stevens-Johnson syndrome and information technology tin be life-threatening.

Hand, foot and rima oris illness

Hand, pes and rima oris disease is a mutual, contagious infection.

About hand, foot and mouth disease

causes mouth ulcers and spots and blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the anxiety
it's most common in young children (specially those under x), but it can too affect older children and adults

In that location'due south no cure for manus, human foot and mouth affliction. Information technology'southward easily spread, so yous should keep your kid away from school or nursery until they're better.

Your kid'southward allowed arrangement will fight the virus. It should clear upwardly afterwards about vii to 10 days.

Brand sure your child drinks plenty of fluid. If eating and swallowing is uncomfortable for them, give them soft foods, such equally mashed potatoes, yoghurt and soup.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that causes sores and blisters. It is caused by bacterial infection. It isn't usually serious and frequently improves within a week of treatment.

In that location are two types of impetigo – bullous and non-bullous.

Near bullous impetigo

typically affects the torso (the area of the body between the waist and neck)
causes fluid-filled blisters that burst after a few days to leave a yellow chaff

About non-bullous impetigo

typically affects the peel effectually the nose and mouth
causes sores that quickly burst to leave a yellow-brown chaff

See your GP if you lot think your child has impetigo. If it is impetigo, antibiotics will usually be prescribed. This is an effective treatment, clearing up the infection.

Keratosis pilaris ('chicken skin')

Keratosis pilaris is a common and harmless skin condition.

About keratosis pilaris

the peel on the back of the upper arms becomes rough and bumpy, every bit if covered in permanent goose pimples
sometimes, the buttocks, thighs, forearms and upper back can likewise be affected
typically begins in childhood and gets worse during puberty
some people find information technology improves after this and may even disappear in adulthood

There's no cure for keratosis pilaris. It often gets better on its own without handling. There are some measures you can take that may improve your child's rash. These include using non-soap cleansers rather than soap, and an emollient to moisturise their pare.

Your GP or pharmacist will be able to recommend a suitable cream.

Measles

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that virtually commonly affects young children. It'southward now uncommon in Northern Ireland because of the effectiveness of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination programme, with high levels of vaccination.

Near measles

the measles rash is reddish-brown blotches
it usually starts on the face, head or upper neck and and then spreads outwards to the rest of the torso
your child may too have a fever and cold-like symptoms

Call your GP surgery if you think your child has measles. It'south all-time to phone before visiting. This is because the surgery may need to make arrangements to reduce the gamble of spreading the infection to others.

Measles ordinarily passes in nearly seven to 10 days without causing further problems. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to save fever, aches and pains (don't give aspirin to children nether 16).

Also, make sure your child drinks plenty of h2o to avoid aridity.

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral peel infection.

Picture showing molluscum contagiosum skin infection that causes clusters of small, firm, raised spots

Almost molluscum contagiosum

causes clusters of small, firm, raised spots to develop on the skin
commonly affects immature children aged one to 5 years, who tend to grab it after close physical contact with another infected child
is usually painless, although some children may experience some itchiness
normally goes abroad within 18 months without the demand for handling

Molluscum contagiosum is highly infectious. Nigh adults are resistant to the virus. This means they're unlikely to take hold of it if they come up into contact with it.

Pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis rosea is quite a common pare status.

Picture showing red scaly patches caused by pityriasis rosea

About pityriasis rosea

causes a temporary rash of raised, ruby scaly patches to develop on the body
most cases occur in older children and immature adults (aged between 10 and 35)
the rash can exist very itchy
in near cases, it clears upward without treatment in two to 12 weeks
in rare cases it can last up to five months

Emollients, steroid creams and antihistamines can be used to help relieve the itchiness. The rash doesn't commonly go out scars. The skin can sometimes exist discoloured later.

Prickly heat (rut rash)

Prickly heat (heat rash) is also known as miliaria.

About prickly heat (estrus rash)

information technology is an itchy rash of small, raised carmine spots that causes a stinging or prickly sensation on the skin
information technology occurs when the sweat ducts in the outer layer of skin (epidermis) are obstructed
you lot can get a heat rash anywhere on your body, simply the face, cervix, back, chest or thighs are nearly often affected
infants can sometimes get a prickly rut rash if they sweat more than usual – for instance, when it's hot and boiling or if they're overdressed

It isn't a serious condition and rarely requires whatever specific treatment.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) skin condition.

Picture showing psoriasis that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales

About psoriasis

that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales
the severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person- for some people, it's simply a small-scale irritation, just for others it can have a major bear upon on their quality of life

There's no cure for psoriasis. At that place are a number of treatments, available through your GP, which tin aid improve the symptoms and appearance of skin patches. For example, topical corticosteroids are creams and ointments that tin can exist practical to the skin.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a highly infectious fungal skin infection.

Picture of ringworm rash, which is usually ring-shaped, unless it's on the face, neck or scalp

About ringworm

causes a ring-like cherry or argent patch on the skin that can be scaly, inflamed or itchy
often affects the arms and legs, only it tin appear about anywhere on the trunk

Other similar fungal infections can touch on the scalp, feet, groin and nails.

Ringworm can normally exist easily treated with antifungal medicines. These are available from a chemist's. Enquire your pharmacist if you need communication about treatment.

Ringworm of the scalp can cause scaling and patches of hair loss.

Scabies

Scabies is a contagious skin condition that'due south intensely itchy.

About scabies

it'south acquired by tiny mites that burrow into the skin
in children, scabies is usually spread through long periods of skin-to-skin contact with an infected adult or child – for example, during play fighting or hugging
the mites similar warm places, such as skin folds, betwixt the fingers, nether fingernails, or effectually the buttock creases
the mites leave pocket-sized scarlet blotches, which are oft found on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
in infants, blisters are usually found on the soles of the feet

Encounter your GP if you think your kid has scabies. Information technology'south not usually a serious status, but it does demand to exist treated. Your GP will prescribe a lotion or cream.

Carmine fever

Ruddy fever is a highly contagious bacterial infection.

About scarlet fever

usually affects children between 2 and 8 years of historic period
causes a distinctive pink-cherry rash, which feels similar sandpaper to touch and may be itchy
often starts with a sore pharynx, fever and headache, with the rash developing two to v days later infection
the rash usually occurs on the chest and tum before spreading to other areas of the body, such as the ears and neck
sometimes a white coating may class on the tongue, which peels away after a few days, leaving the tongue red and bloated - this is known every bit a 'strawberry tongue'

Cherry fever usually clears upwards after about a week. But come across your GP if you think your child may accept it. Your GP will prescribe an antibody to treat it.

Slapped cheek syndrome

Slapped cheek syndrome is a viral infection that's mutual in children aged six to 10.

Near slapped cheek syndrome

causes a distinctive bright red rash to develop on both cheeks
this can look alarming, but information technology usually clears up by itself in one to three weeks

Unless your kid is feeling unwell, they don't need to stay away from school.

One time the rash appears, the infection is no longer contagious. It's a skilful idea to let your child'south school know about the infection.

Urticaria (hives)

Urticaria is too known as hives, weals, welts or nettle rash.

Picture showing urticarial rash

About hives

is a raised, itchy rash that can affect ane function of the body or be spread across large areas
information technology's a mutual skin reaction that oftentimes affects children
occurs when a trigger causes loftier levels of histamine and other chemic messengers to be released in the pare
these substances cause the blood vessels in the skin to open up, resulting in redness or pinkness, and swelling and itchiness

At that place are many possible triggers of urticaria, including allergens, such as food or latex, irritants, such as nettles, medicines, and physical factors, such equally heat or practise. Sometimes, a cause can't be identified.

The rash is usually short-lived and mild. It tin can often be controlled with antihistamines. Inquire your pharmacist for advice. Urticaria can be one of the start symptoms of a astringent allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Call 999 immediately and inquire for an ambulance if you lot or someone else is experiencing anaphylaxis.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surroundings the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

Child's arm with a blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over

Nigh meningitis

the classic rash associated with meningitis usually looks like small, red pinpricks at first
it so apace spreads over the body and turns into red or regal blotches that won't fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won't ever develop)

Meningitis can be serious if not treated chop-chop. Telephone call 999 for an ambulance or become to your nearest emergency department if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.